Orton-Gillingham for dyslexia?

Orton Gillingham is a tried and true, very successful set of highly individualized, multisensory procedures used to teach reading to dyslexic individuals. Properly done- and it requires some training- it helps people establish internal “filing systems” for sound/symbol correspondance and the conventions of organizing letters into words. So- while it may not help with memory specifically- it does help train kiddoes in strategies for retrieval of what they have learned. OG has been around for a long time and there is a ton of independant research about it. It isn’t a company and has no “products” - though there are materials available from a variety of sources. There are also a number of programs that are OG in orientation- Wilson Reading, Language!, and several others.
Robin

My daughter did Orton and I am a major believer in it. In one year’s time she went up 2 1/2 to almost 4 grade levels on various reading measures. She is ADHD and is considered moderately dyslexic (although the school didn’t use that word, the neuropsychologist and her OG tutor did). She had major memory problems absorbing reading the way they were taught through her school. Specifically, her symptoms were little/no letter/sound connections, couldn’t blend sounds, abysmal spelling and a large degree of reversals, although the combination of dyslexic symptoms varies by person.

OG is based on teaching the 47 (I think that’s the #) sounds and their letter combinations that make up reading the words. We did a private tutor - who would make sure my daughter would master the present sounds before going on to the next level. Also, it’s multi-sensory which meant for my duaghter that she would read and then write the sounds at the same time to learn them.

Do a search for the International Dyslexia Organization (formerly known as the Orton Gillinghma Society) or something like that to get the web site (interdys.org?) for more info. There you can get the name of contacts for tutors in your area. Some of the OG methods are Barbara Wilson, Recipe for Reading and there are more - the only difference is the order in which the sounds are taught. You may also be able to get OG through a university reading clinic (sliding scale) or buy Reading Reflex on amazon.com.

Good luck. I had nothing but good things to say about OG. I think the schools should devise a way of testing the kids for reading problems very early and depending on their weaknesses just start them on OG in Kind. or 1st. In our district, the only kids who get OG are a handful of 5th graders who are still not reading - imo that’s would have been too late for my daughter.

I just re-read your post and am so sorry if you took offense to my callous comments about 5th graders in my district who cannot read well as your child is in 5th grade.

With my daughter, it didn’t improve her overall memory (she still has other issues), but given that the OG method addressed her specific reading weaknesses she could process and retain it, so she no longer had memory problems when it came to reading.

Again, I’m really sorry about my callousness. I’m trying to take my foot out of my mouth now…..

Good luck.

I am not offended. My daughter can read. She has been able to compensate for so long that I think she’s fooled the best of them. Her reading comprehension continues to grow as a problem as the volume of work increases with each grade. Sixth grade is notoriously horrible at her school, and so I am trying to make a decision as to what’s best for her. I too wish someone had suggested LD testing back in first grade instead of just wanting to put her on meds. for distraction and inattentiveness.
I am just trying to do my homework here, and it sounds like OG is getting 100% positive resonse so far. Thank you for your candor.

help with certain types of memory problems. Audiblox (http://www.audiblox2000.com) and PACE (Processing and Cognitive nhancement, http://www.learninginfo.com) are both good cognitive training programs. PACE is very expensive, but Audiblox is fairly inexpensive (about $80) and easy to do at home.

Actually, knowing and understanding the phonological rules isn’t necessary to reading and, for some kids, actually interferes with learning to read. We had great success with “Reading Reflex”, a book that focuses on teaching decoding skills instead of phonological rules. Even if you ultimately decide not to use this approach, the book provides a lot of information about reading and the subskills required for it. The book is available at most bookstores for $16.

Mary

I hope this makes you feel better. When we started OG my daughter was not on meds - she made a bit of progress, more than she had from the school’s reading program. Several months after we started OG we decided to medicate too. While she still has issues in school (writing, memorizing math facts) she really took off or improved a lot all around when she started the meds. Reading is now not an issue at all, in fact she views it as a strength. The way it was explained to me - if she had just the learning differences or just the ADHD, she would probably be OK. Given that she has both, it was a disaster. So, I believe and have since read that the right medication plus correct academic intervention (hopefully early) will give these kids the best shot at success.

Of course, with securing help at school for her - the problem is always the question of is she just ADHD or is she LD too. She’s ADHD with learning differences, not LD which puts us in a big gray area - a borderline kid who struggles with school where I feel we have had to fight (or said more positively “advocate”) to get what’s right for her. All of this is scary as just when you give birth no one gives you the how to book with the child - this is even more true when you’ve got a child with differences.

Best of luck.

Have you heard of Lindamood-Bell learning process? If so what is your opinion on this method?

Yes, I have heard of it!! I have heard only good things about this also. Unfortunately, it is extremely expensive, as, it seems, are all of the ones that really work well. I checked into it in my area, and it would cost about $5,000 for a six-week intensive program. The commute to this center is also a good 1 1/2 hours from our home, and it would mean after-school time, which we are lacking as it is. I know it would be a good investment, but I am feeling at this point that a full-time school that teaches one of these proven methods would be the best money spent. I think it is sad that the best programs seem to cost the most. It leaves a lot of people out that cannot afford it.

Medication worked wonders for my daughter too. Unfortunately, she has an underlying tic disorder, which became very pronounced with the medication. It was something we didn’t even know existed until she started on the stimulants. I fought the idea of meds for a long time, but I think that they really do work for a lot of kids…and adults too…I have a dear adult friend who swears by it and she is so thankful because she just thought she was scatterbrained her whole life. Thanks. Kathy

I agree, it’s shameful that you cannot get a grant of some sort to help with the costs of these programs. Maybe someday if we parents rally together we can make it happen.
I met a woman who actually took her son to Washington D.C. to go through the Lindamood-Bell program, she was so impressed with the outcome she set up a center here in PA. Its 4 hours a day one on one learning for 4-6 weeks.
So I would have to either have to wait until summer or pull her out of school for this period of time. I was so impressed with the examples of learning she showed me, I felt finally my daughter will get the help she needs, someone actually showed me what she lacks and how it can be fixed by actually exercising the part of the brain that is weak. Although the program is pricey and I struggle everyday with what to do, BUT I have a husband who is dyslexic also and he knows first hand how hard it is not just in school but socially you lack confidnece, so he says at whatever cost it will make a big difference in her whole outlook about herself. We just don’t have $6000. laying around, but he is willing to get a loan and says it will be money well spent.

it is a good idea to try Phono-Graphix — either by tutoring at home using the book “Reading Reflex”, or by hiring a certified Phono-Graphix tutor. PG is *much* less expensive and much faster than LMB and works with an awful lot of kids. The usual PG tutoring course is 12 sessions. At $50 per hour, that works out to $600. If your child hasn’t shown significant response after 6 to 8 hours of PG, then you can stop and go ahead with LMB.

Some children do need LMB. However, a lot of children (I’d guess around 90-95%) can do just as well with PG. When this is the case, the family finances aren’t strained as badly, as more funds are available in case other interventions are needed down the line. LMB is better known, having been around for 20 years. PG is newer, and only became available in 1995.

You can call or email to find certified PG tutors. PG website is http://www.readamerica.net

Mary

What exactly is Phono-Graphics? I haven’t heard of that yet.
My delema is trying to be the teacher that I am not to apply these home methods.

please,
I would like to aske about basic competenceies which are important to teacher of students with learning disabilities.
thanks a lot

The Phono-Graphix website is http://www.readamerica.net

The book “Reading Reflex” explains the Phono-Graphix approach to teaching reading. You can buy a copy of the book for $16 from most bookstores, or borrow it from the library to look over.

Mary

I agree that Lindamood is expensive, and frankly with 2 children following the program I’m going through money like water, but you have to remember that this is one on one training with a qualified instructor. I prefer to look at the big picture. If this program gets them reading well enough that they will eventually go to university, then the difference in the saleries of a university grad vs that of a highschool drop-out will compensate me for my expenditures in a few short months. The ultimate goal is self supporting children, not velcro kids that will need support for the rest of their lives.
Although both kids following a less intensive program than the one mentioned earlier (3 hours per week instead of a 6 week crash course), the results are very impressive. Both kids are sounding out words instead of quessing based on the 1st letter, and are finally starting to spell correctly.

In my limited experience the issue will be getting them CONSISTENTLY APPLYING these skills in day to day reading situations. It is one thing to read words during exercises where the focus is word reading, or to read words with your “coach” sitting beside you coaching.

Let us know if this really changes behavior in reading connected text w/o prompting from the coach.

I am not debating that LMB is worth the money. Believe me, I am a prime example of someone who is willing to spend whatever it takes to have my children get a good education. I won’t go into particulars. However, I am fortunate that we have the money to spend on it….I don’t regret the money we have spent and feel it is an investment in my children’s future. However, many people simply do not have the money and cannot make that choice. I feel that programs that work so well should be available to everyone who needs it. I am glad that you too have this choice and that it is working for your family. Your children are fortunate.

Carrie,

Where in Pa is the Lindamood Bell Center?

I live in the Pittsburgh area.
The center is called Advanced Learning Processes, it’s in the North Hills area on Babcock Blvd. they have a website: www.alpsteach.com
Phone number is 412-364-ALP4

Don’t discount the possibility of finding someone trained to tutor using the Lindamood-Bell program. I’ve been tutoring using this program exclusively for a couple years now. I see the average child for 2 hours a week during the school year and 3 or 4 hours a week during the summer. As with any tutoring, a little each day is better than a long period once a week.

Yes, the LMB regional centers do a fabulous job. And yes, they’re terribly expensive. But it’s still possible to approach that quality, albeit at a slower pace, if you hire someone as a private tutor who’s trained in the LMB method. In fact, you yourself can take that training. Go to their website to find out the dates and places. In order to train in all areas, it’ll take about 4 days.

I’ve read the Reading Reflex books and think it’s a very good program that draws heavily from LMB techniques. I still do think that LMB is more comprehensive. But I’m also willing to admit that because it’s so familiar, I’m most comfortable with it.

I’ve taught all levels of their three programs - the LIPS program which is the phonemic awareness component, the “Seeing Stars” - a spelling program (I automatically incorporate into the LIPS piece) and the “Visualizing & Verbalizing”, a comprehension program. The V&V is esp. fun to do with the students. Once parents understand the concepts, there are many ways they can include it in their daily lives.

I agree with Joan a private tutor versed it the program is less expensive and you can see the same results. I have a 13 year old 8th grade son who was reading at the 3rd grade level when we arrived here in Illinois. After 1 year of LD reading he caught up 2 years of reading. The class used the Lindamood method. He now has a private 1 to 1 tutor doing the program with him and have noticed dramatic improvements in not only his reading but also his organizational skills and study habits. She works with him 45 minutes a week and only charges $20.00 a session. I must admit I have been more then pleased. She says she keeps her fees reaonable because she understands where these kids are coming from since she did not learn to read until she was 30. It would be nice if there were more people able to provide a an affordable service with good result.

Now, there is a person who should be honored!!! Good for her!! How would you suggest I find out about tutors in my area for Lindamood-Bell? Should I call their center in our area? I would think they would hesitate to direct me in another direction when they could be benefiting. I live in the Atlanta area, and their center would be a good 1 1/2 to two hour drive one way. What do you suggest. Thank you for your story. Success stories give us all hope!!

I live 1 and a half hours away from one of their centers and I do know parents who’ve called them asking about tutors in our area (before they found me!) and LMB didn’t recommend anyone. I think that, besides the fact that they don’t want to lose potential business at their regional centers, they also don’t knwo the abilities of the individual tutors they’ve trained. We simply took their courses; there were no tests to pass or any other system of credentialing us other than giving us a paper that said we attended the courses. The parents who’ve found me did so through a neuropsychologist who frequently tests children in the area schools.

dear Sir/mrs
do you have/know free instrument to mesure teacher attitude towards teaching
students with learning disability.if so, please dirct me.
thanks for your cooperation.
taher

Our tutor came recommended to us by the school. We asked them for a list of tutors in the area and we lucked out to find her. They orgianally provided a peer tutor for our son but it did not work out. I feel very fortunate. I agree about sucess stories being important for us hope is a good motivating factor. Wish sucess in your journey to help your child.

Hi all,

I have a website that lists independent Lindamood-Bell tutors, with the caveat that they are not, of course, certified by LB or connected in any way with the Lindamoods! You are right that they will probably not direct you to the independents, so you have to find them yourself. Chris Balke’s thereadingprogram.com also has listings. Here is my website www.angelfire.com/on2/thepuzzle One lady listed on my site will travel to YOU! Other info on dyslexia and other learning problems also, but if you know anyone looking for listings or wanting to be listed, let them know!

Sharon in LA